Which of the following types of masks is considered a respirator and required when caring for a patient who has COVID-19?

An N-95 mask is considered a respirator and is specifically designed to filter out at least 95% of airborne particles, including large respiratory droplets and smaller aerosols, which is crucial when caring for patients with COVID-19. This level of filtration helps protect healthcare workers from potential exposure to the virus, fitting closely to the face to ensure that contaminated air does not enter around the edges.

Surgical masks, while providing some level of barrier protection, are not designed to filter out small airborne particles as effectively as an N-95 mask. They primarily protect the wearer from large droplets and help prevent the spread of respiratory droplets from the wearer. Cloth masks also do not provide the same level of protection as N-95 respirators and are more suitable for general public use rather than in healthcare settings. A face shield serves as additional protection but does not replace the need for proper respiratory protection, as it does not filter inhaled air. Therefore, when dealing with transmission risks associated with COVID-19, using an N-95 mask is a critical component of infection control practices.